Preserving Amber

Chapter 1

   The evening sun broke through the trees as I walked down a worn path in the woods. Birds soared over my head going from tree to tree, singing their cheerful songs. Skipping along the trail, the brush grew thicker the farther the road stretched. Within minutes I could begin to see the corner of a cobblestone structure. Nearing the home I saw that vines crept along the side of it. Creeping higher and higher upon the cottage. As I turned a great tree in the front yard I could see a bed of flowers. The smell of herbs brushed aside me as I began to advance to the door. I could hear bubbling and a soft hum from inside the seemingly cozy cottage.      I knocked twice and imminently the humming stopped. Whomever this medicine woman was, she began to hustle around. I could hear the crash of something metal. With an eep from the other side of the door, I sank into my heels and quietly waited.     The door opened. A short, slightly plump girl stood meekly on the other side. My palms began to sweat as I handed her a note my grandmother had given to me just this morning. Her small warm brown hands grasped onto the small slip on paper. She took a step back and opened the door up.     "I can uh," she said softly, pausing for a moment, "get this for you, come in"      She turned around and went inside, the door open for me. Quietly I stepped inside and shut the door behind me and began to look around her small hut. There was a large spruce wood table that sat comfortably in the middle of the room. I took off my cloak and slid into one of the old wooden chairs. Holding my hands together I fidgeted as I watched her move around her kitchen.     "Are you Mrs. Phillips new messenger?" the girl said while fumbling in a cabinet that she was standing on a stool to just reach.      "Um not really" I spoke, looking down at the stool "I'm her granddaughter actually" The medicine woman stepped down from the stool with a large glass container. Kicking the stool to the side, she began attempting to twist and turn the lid off.     "Oh! Are you.. ugh hold on"      She fumbled with the container more and tried to tap it on the counter a few times. Then she went back to pulling at the lid.     I stood up from the table with the chair screeching against the wood behind me. Walking up behind her I put my hand on the other side of the lid     "May I?"      She made direct eye contact with me before whipping her head the other way and lifting her hands off the jar.      "Thank you..." She spoke softly as her gaze went to the window in front of us.      I popped off the lid and handed the girl her jar. She placed it on the counter and started to scoop out a strong smelling herb. Holding my nose I asked,     "So what were you going to say earlier?"      "Oh, just curious why Mrs. Phillip's family is in town. I assumed its just a weekend getaway?"         She said while measuring out herbs into a brown pouch.      "I wish, I'm here for all of this summer," I said while letting out a sigh, "My foster folks sprung it on me a couple of days ago so I couldn't do anything about it"     Tying the pouch up and handing to me, she smiled "Well let's hope you enjoy your stay here, maybe I'll see more of you"      "Hopefully," I said quietly and turned to grab my cloak and gloves, "Thank you for whatever this is"      "No problem," She said as I hustled out the door, but before I closed it behind me I stopped. Holding onto the doorframe I leaned in,      "Hey wait, what's your name? Gram didn't tell me"      "Um," She looked at me surprised while putting away the larger jar, "Amber?"      "Wonderful, call me Sophie"     My heart suddenly sprang forward and I was out of that cottage and back onto the path to town.     My giddy excitement was cut short the moment I walked into the small country manor. Though it appeared calm and blended within the surrounding area, the vibe was suffocating. Greeted by the personal assistant to my Grandmother, I walked into the parlor. She laid presentably on the sofa, thankfully with clothing on. The artist she had hired not but a few days ago was back. My grandmother chose to have a new painting of herself to hang in the main hall.      "Not another portrait dear" She had told me when the artist first arrived, "I want to add something that captures my... vivacious body."     I stopped asking about it after that.      Her glance settled on me and she put a hand up, the man behind the canvas stopped. Begrudgingly I had bowed like she had instructed me to do.     "Welcome home dear, have you fetched what I asked for?"     "Yes... ma'am" I spoke in a disdainful manner     Sitting up she gestured to the chair next to the couch. I didn't but I stood just a few feet away.       Sensing her building frustration, I held out the pouch of herbs. Hesitating, she grabbed it without breaking eye contact.      "Is there anything else you would like me to do grandmother?"      The funny thing is she didn't even look like a grandmother. I felt more compelled to call her mom. The small patch of gray hair and the only slight sag of her cheekbones showed her age.      "As of now, no." She said sternly, "But I ask that you do not interrupt me so this poor man doesn't have to keep on coming over"      "Of course ma'am," I spoke, "is that all?"      "Yes," she said in a bored tone of voice "leave."     And with that, I left the parlor and made my way to my own chambers. Taking off the gloves that went up to my elbow, I let out a sigh of relief. I quickly changed into more revealing and preferable clothing for an evening. Looking at myself in the mirror on my dresser, I haphazardly slapped on makeup. And within minutes I was opening the window and scaling the backside of the manor.       I looked around the open field. Then racing down the hill, I rolled into the small colorful town. The following events my memory abstains from, just a big ol jug of gin.     My heart was racing. It sprang almost a foot ahead of me as I tore through the forest. I looked like a mess as I sprinted through the wood. Ankles and calves scratched to death, the smell of iron in the beast's mind.      "Faster, faster, faster.' I thought, yet the beast was getting closer and closer. I could feel the hunger behind me, my fear keeping her running like the wind.      I tried to look behind me, but a thundering roar kept my gaze forward. And just as I thought the woods would never end, there was a break in the trees. Throwing my body out of the wood, I hit the ground hard. The sound was even louder now, I sprang to my feet. Running across the plains, I could hear the cry of the beast getting softer. My body was pounding and I didn't dare to look back again. Within minutes I could no longer hear the creature.      When I turned around to see if it was still on my trail, a wave of relief hit. I was alone, not a creature in sight. Standing on the hillside alone, I caught her breath. Laying down in the tall grass, I looked up at the night sky. The half moon seemed to be gazing back at me, Softly pressing its lips against my forehead.      'I shouldn't have taken the long way home' I thought to myself. But it was too late for that.      I sat up and folded my knees into my chest. I glanced down the mountain to the estate, its bright lights adding a warm hue to my vision. I looked up and eyes were glued to the sky. A shooting star ripped through the canvas of the night as if it was intentional.      But this calmness didn't last forever as I heard a familiar shriek from down the mountain.